Запретный лес
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
Ihadadraminsideme,andwasjustmycantyordinar’.Butmyeenandmynostrilswerenaidle,andIsawwhatI’vetelledye....MyheidwasinsicathrawlastnichtthatIcannasweirwi’onycertaintytoitherfaces,thoughIhaemysuspeecionsabouttheweemen.Butyou,sir,sittin’aloftonthetree-tap,yemaunhaehadagraundview,fortherewaslichteneuchtoreadprent."
"Irecognizedcertainwomen,towhomIcanswearonmyoath.AboutsomeIdarenotbepositive,buttherewerefiveofwhomIhavenodoubt.TherewereJeanMorisonandherdaughterJess."
"Thefolko’theChasehope-fit,"Reiverslawcried."Ay,theywadbethere.They’veayebeenill-regarded."
"AndoldAlisonGeddieinthekirkton."
"Adaftauldwife,thatskellochslikeasea-maw!"
"AndEppieLauderfromMirehoperoad-end."
RichieSmailgroaned."ThewidowofatriedChristian,Mr.Sempill.AdacenterbodythanWattieLauderneverwalkedtheroads.It’sterribletothinko’theDeil’sgriponthehouseholdo’faith."
"AndBessieTodfromtheMains."
"Peetyonus,butIsatneistherattheMarchfast-daywhenMr.Proudfootpreached,andshewasgranin’andgreetin’likeabairn.Yesurelymaunbeinerror,sir.Bessiewasneververrastrongintheheid,andshehasnathewitsfortheDeil’swark!"
"Neverthelessshewasthere.IamascertainofitasthatIwasmyselfinthetree-top.OfothersIhavesuspicions,butofthesefiveIhavecertainty."
Reiverslawrubbedhisgreathands."Ourbusinessgangscannilyforward.We’vegottenthenameso’sixo’thecovenandcanguessatithers.
